We all buy our 4X4's for different reasons.
We bought our second to pursue our love of Bird Watching.
I don't know how many bird watchers there are on this
forum
I don't remember many threads about it : )
but I would guess all of you would remember
your first view of a flock of real budgies against an outback sky
or
brolgas dancing against a sunset.
Some of us just like to repeat this experience
as often as we can.
Last weekend we took part in the NSW Twitchathon.
It's a fund raising effort for Birds Australia,
Australias peak ornithological body, with all money raised
going to a conservation project along the Murry
Darling River.
Teams compete to see (or twitch) as many different species
as they can see in a 24 hour period.
There are two "races". The main race, where they drive through the night,
eat on the run etc. The team that won this scored an impressive 221 species.
We competed in the more civilised and sedate "Champagne Race",
where you must take time off for meals, sleep , champagne etc.
And we won!
Well, first equal with a credible 140 species.
Our route over the 24 hours was The Hawkesbury Area - Blue Mountains -
Lithgow -
Capertee Valley. ( We were in the middle of the incredible hail storm on Saturday afternoon).
Sorry if the post is a little off topic -
but we are excited.
Now the hard job of collecting the money from sponsors
who promised us a $ amount per bird species seen!
Hey, it's not too late to sponsor us for a set amount,
all tax deductable, money goes directly to a great project.
Send me a note and I'll provide an address to send a cheque or CC.
Every $ helps.
Timothy Hyde
p.s. I've posted a couple of great Hail photos on the web at
http://www.achieving.com.au/capj2003twitch.htm